Market Research

Analysis and trends impacting construction, housing and development markets.

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  • ‘Housing market is no longer moving in one direction’ says Cotality Chief Economist

    ‘Housing market is no longer moving in one direction’ says Cotality Chief Economist

    On Aug. 10, 2026, Cotality released its August 2026 U.S. home insights price report. According to the report, the Midwest and Northeast markets are still seeing firm price growth. Illinois is at a 6.4% year-over-year increase (YoY), followed by Connecticut at 6%, Nebraska at 5.8% and Indiana, also at 5.8%. National home price growth remains modest but shows signs of acceleration, edging up 0.3% month-over-month and 1.2% year-over-year in June 2026.

    “As long as mortgage rates stay consistently high, factors such as local job and income growth, migration patterns and specific industrial investments will influence the real estate market,” said Dr. Selma Hepp, Chief Economist at Cotality.

    Cotality also found that major industrial and tech investments are driving sharp local growth spikes-highlighted by Abilene, Texas, at +9.5% YoY, where AI data centers insulated the metro from broader statewide housing declines.

    “Cities like Abilene demonstrate that even in a cooling state like Texas, targeted capital projects can generate localized demand shocks that completely contradict regional trends,” said Hepp.

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  • Mortgage rates average 6.69%

    Mortgage rates average 6.69%

    As of Aug. 6, 2026, mortgage rates averaged 6.69%, according to Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Survey (PMS). These results are up from last week’s average of 6.66%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.63%.

    “The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.69% this week,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “While mortgage rates continue to influence affordability, the housing market is showing signs of adjustment, with listing prices modestly below year-ago levels and for-sale inventory improving from the limited supply seen in recent years.”

    The 15-year FRM averaged 6.01%, down from the previous week’s 6.04%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.75%.

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  • Residential construction spending averages $877.1 billion in June

    Residential construction spending averages $877.1 billion in June

    On Aug. 3, 2026, the United States Census Bureau released its Monthly Construction Spending in June 2026 report. According to the report, residential construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $877.1 billion in June, 0.3% (±1.3%)* below the revised May estimate of $879.9 billion.

    Total construction spending during June 2026 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2,166.5 billion, 0.1% (±0.8%)* below the revised May estimate of $2,168.5 billion. The June figure is 3.2% below the June 2025 estimate of $2,237.7 billion. During the first six months of this year, construction spending amounted to $1,046.9 billion, 3.5% below the $1,084.5 billion for the same period in 2025.

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  • Mortgages average 6.49%

    Mortgages average 6.49%

    According to Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey, released on July 9, 2026, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.49%. This report demonstrates that the FRM has remained relatively unchanged.

    “The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.49% this week,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “Mortgage rates have not changed much recently, but economic growth and housing affordability continue to improve for homebuyers as they shop for homes in today’s market.”

    The most recently measured FRM is up from last week, when it averaged 6.43%. In July 2025, around this same time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.72%. The 15-year FRM averaged 5.82%, up from the previous week when it averaged 5.79%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.86%.

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  • Single-story home starts increase in 2025

    Single-story home starts increase in 2025

    According to the recent release of the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction, while the gap between one-story and two-or-more-story shares has been relatively stable since 2021, 2025 saw a slight decrease in two-or-more-story starts. Two-or-more story starts dropped in 2025 to 51.4% from 52.2% in 2024.

    Meanwhile, the share of new homes with one story rose from 47.5% to 48.6%. Despite the decline, more than half of new homes built nationally in 2025 were two or more stories, though this share varied significantly across the nation.

    New homes started in the Midwest and the South generally favored single-story homes, while the Northeast and the West had higher shares of two or more stories.

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  • Mortgage rates average 6.43%

    Mortgage rates average 6.43%

    Freddie Mac released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey on July 2, 2026, showing the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.43%.

    “The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage eased slightly this week, averaging 6.43%,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “With rates at a seven-week low and purchase demand continuing to edge higher, it’s an encouraging sign as prospective homebuyers respond to modest improvements in affordability.”

    As of July 2, 2026, the FRM decreased from the week before, when it averaged 6.49%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.67%. Meanwhile, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.79%, down from when it averaged 5.84%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.80%.

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  • Residential construction spending up 1.8% year-over-year

    Residential construction spending up 1.8% year-over-year

    According to the recently released May analysis from the U.S. Census Bureau, private residential construction spending continued its steady upward trend. Compared to a year ago, spending is up 1.8% and surpassed the previous month by 0.4.

    This is the third consecutive month of gains, following the slight dip in activity in February. The current pace is a moderate sign of a stabilizing market, despite consumer economic uncertainty and rise in material costs.

    Looking forward, the effects of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is expected to streamline review for builders and diminish some of the costly boundaries for builders.

    “Multifamily construction spending growth has also slowed down after the peak in June 2023, with the index largely plateauing since late 2024,” said Catherine Koh an economist at the National Association of Homebuilders. “In contrast, improvement spending has been on an upward trend since the beginning of 2025, supported in part by the aging housing stock and sustained demand for renovation.

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  • Builders Can Successfully Transition Into Bathroom Remodeling

    Builders Can Successfully Transition Into Bathroom Remodeling

    Thinking about expanding your business into bathroom and shower remodeling? The biggest opportunities for builders exist within the wet space, especially remodels. Join Bestbath for a roundtable discussion on expanding into the wet space. Industry professionals will share perspectives on current market trends, business opportunities, operational considerations, and lessons learned from adding bathroom and shower projects to their offerings.

    Attendees will gain practical insights into what it takes to enter the category, common challenges to expect, and how other contractors have successfully incorporated wet space projects into their businesses.

    Learning Objectives:

    • What’s driving demand for bathroom remodeling projects
    • Where the biggest growth opportunities exist in the wet space
    • What it takes to add bath and shower services to an existing business
    • How to position and sell bathroom remodeling projects effectively
    • Lessons learned from contractors who have successfully expanded their offerings
    • Practical next steps for growing their business through wet space projects

    Purpose: This webinar is designed to help contractors, remodelers, builders, and home improvement professionals evaluate the opportunity of expanding into bathroom and shower remodeling. Through a roundtable discussion with industry professionals, attendees will gain insight into market demand, growth opportunities, operational considerations, and real-world lessons learned from businesses that have successfully added wet space projects to their offerings. The goal is to provide practical guidance to help attendees determine whether expanding into the wet space is the right fit for their business.

    Join speakers Michael Lunt, Dealer Sales Manager at Bestbath and Blake Watson, Owner at Age-Proof Homes, for this discussion.

    Register for the webinar now! 

    Learn more about Bestbath

  • Home Prices Hit 2026 High

    Home Prices Hit 2026 High

    According to the Redfin Home Price Index, U.S. home prices continue to grow, up 0.3% month over month in May. This may appear to be a slight uptick from April’s 0.2% increase, but it is the largest growth rate of 2026.

    Year-over-year, the average for housing growth sits at 2.5%, continuing the rise of the last six months.

    The largest regional increases are reported in the Midwest, with both Cleveland (2.5%) and Columbus, Ohio (1.3%) in the top five cities overall. Posting the most declines are metros in the West, with  Riverside, Calif. (-1.9%), San Jose, Calif. (-1.7%) and San Francisco (-1.3%) dropping month to month.

    “Buyers got a boost from lower mortgage rates in the spring, and that momentum is showing up in prices,” said Sheharyar Bokhari, a senior economist at Redfin. “And even though there are many more home sellers than buyers in the market, the most desirable homes are still attracting multiple offers, driving up prices.”

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  • Home Prices Hit 2026 High

    Home Prices Hit 2026 High

    According to the Redfin Home Price Index, U.S. home prices continue to grow, up 0.3% month over month in May. This may appear to be a slight uptick from April’s 0.2% increase, but it is the largest growth rate of 2026.

    Year-over-year, the average for housing growth sits at 2.5%, continuing the rise of the last six months.

    The largest regional increases are reported in the Midwest, with both Cleveland (2.5%) and Columbus, Ohio (1.3%) in the top five cities overall. Posting the most declines are metros in the West, with  Riverside, Calif. (-1.9%), San Jose, Calif. (-1.7%) and San Francisco (-1.3%) dropping month to month.

    “Buyers got a boost from lower mortgage rates in the spring, and that momentum is showing up in prices,” said Sheharyar Bokhari, a senior economist at Redfin. “And even though there are many more home sellers than buyers in the market, the most desirable homes are still attracting multiple offers, driving up prices.”

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  • Mortgage rates average 6.52%

    Mortgage rates average 6.52%

    On June 11, 2026, Freddie Mac released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey, showing the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage reached an average of 6.52%.

    “The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.52% this week,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “Stronger employment momentum has helped existing home sales reach a five-month high. Importantly, we’re seeing homebuyers look past the short-term rate fluctuations and actively enter the market, signaling renewed confidence in homeownership opportunities.”

    The most recent 30-year FRM reached a 6.52% average, up from last week’s 6.48%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.84%. Meanwhile, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.84%, up from last week’s average of 5.79%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.97%.

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  • NAHB study analyzes homebuilding regulatory costs

    NAHB study analyzes homebuilding regulatory costs

    A new study from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) analyzed homebuilding regulatory costs, comparing results from the 2026 survey to a previous one conducted in 2021. The 2026 survey revealed that, on average, regulations imposed by the government at all levels account for $131,734, or 26.4%, of the final price of a new single-family home built for sale. Of this amount, $46,795 is due to a higher price for the finished lot, a direct result of regulations imposed during the lot’s development. The remaining $84,939 is the result of regulatory costs imposed on the builder during construction, after the builder purchases the finished lot.

    According to the study, regulatory costs are one of several factors, including record increases of tariff rates on building materials, ongoing skilled labor shortage, a decrease in available lots and tighter lending conditions, currently limiting the supply of housing, particularly housing for the entry-level market.

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  • Mortgage rates decrease to 6.48%

    Mortgage rates decrease to 6.48%

    On June 4, 2026, Freddie Mac announced that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.48%, according to its Primary Mortgage Market Survey. The FRM decreased from the week before, when it averaged 6.53%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.85%.

    “The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage decreased to 6.48% this week,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “With mortgage rates in the mid-6% range and income growth outpacing home price growth, housing affordability is marginally improving.”

    The 15-year FRM averaged 5.79%, down from the week prior when it averaged 5.87%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.99%.

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  • Mortgage rates average 6.41% in May

    Mortgage rates average 6.41% in May

    According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.41% in May 2026, up 7 basis points (bps) over April. Additionally, the average 15-year rate averaged 5.76% in May, up 7 bps from April and up 33 basis points since the end of February.

    The 10-year Treasury yield, a key benchmark for long-term borrowing, averaged 4.47% last month, 16 bps higher than in April. Stronger-than-expected inflation pushed yields upward, with the 10-year yield reaching 4.6% during the month. Rising energy prices kept inflation high, as fuel oil prices increased 5.8% and gasoline prices rose 5.4%.

    Persistently high inflation has also impacted household budgets, with the personal saving rate falling to 2.6% in April.

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  • Builder confidence increases in May

    Builder confidence increases in May

    The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) released the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) for May 2026. The HMI is based on a monthly survey of single-family builders who are asked to rate three specific conditions of the housing market: present sales of new single-family homes, expected sales of single-family homes for the next six months and traffic of prospective buyers of new single-family homes. Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes increased three points to 37 in May.

    The survey revealed that 32% of builders cut prices in May, down from 36% in April. However, the use of sale incentives was up 61% in May, a slight increase from 60% in April.

    Key factors that can impact the HMI include interest rates, employment rates, material costs and inflationary pressures.

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  • Construction sees life in custom homebuilding

    Construction sees life in custom homebuilding

    The custom home market is not as heavily impacted by the interest rate cycle in comparison to other forms of homebuilding, making it a relative bright spot in residential construction. While overall single-family construction has been down 5% for the first four months of 2026, custom homebuilding is providing relief in the homebuilding.

    According to the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) analysis of Census data from the Quarterly Starts and Completions by Purpose and Design survey, there were 36,000 total custom building starts during the first quarter of 2026. This is up 3% relative to the first quarter of 2025.

    Currently, the market share of custom builds, based on a one-year moving average, is 20% of total single-family starts.

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  • 10 cities lead new home construction

    10 cities lead new home construction

    Consumer Affairs analyzed data on new building permits and new-construction home sales across the 150 largest U.S. metros in early 2026.  The data ranked areas based on both the number of new-build permits issued and the number of new homes sold, with each factor weighted equally. Based on the analysis, 10 cities are leading the charge in new home construction, with thousands of new housing permits issued and more than 15,000 newly constructed homes sold.

    Four of the top cities in new home construction were in Texas, with Dallas holding the leading spot. The city had 11,327 new building permits issued and over 3,000 new construction homes sold.

    Houston follows closely behind in second place, followed by New York, Phoenix, Atlanta and Los Angeles, respectively. Austin, Texas, ranked No. 7, followed by Washington, D.C., Charlotte, N.C. and San Antonio.

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  • HUD releases report on best homebuilding practices

    HUD releases report on best homebuilding practices

    The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released the State and Local Best Practices for Home Construction Report, a series of regulatory actions for state and local governments to increase efficiency and ease regulatory barriers to housing construction and affordability. The report provides a clear starting point for all state and local governments to begin or continue an active effort to remove unnecessary burdens to home construction. Best practices are sorted into three categories: Cut Home Construction Costs, Unlock Land for New Housing Supply and Accelerate Construction Timelines.

    “HUD is encouraging our state and local partners to take inventory of their regulations and policies and make changes that will lower the cost to build and enable more efficient housing supply growth,” said HUD Secretary Scott Turner. “These best practices are an initial list of recommendations to facilitate growth while respecting communities’ unique needs. Adding efficiency to local building processes will result in more affordable homeownership opportunities for all Americans.”

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  • Builder sentiment reports steady increase in May

    Builder sentiment reports steady increase in May

    The National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) of Builder sentiment reported a modest gain in May, bouncing back after April’s decrease. The HMI posted a 37 for newly built single-family homes.

    NAHB cites the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act could settle builders’ concerns while increasing housing supply.

    “The housing market remains soft as higher mortgage rates, rising gas prices and economic uncertainty related to the war in Iran continue to dampen buyer demand,” said NAHB Chairman Bill Owens. “However, efforts in the House to modify the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act could increase the nation’s housing supply and help ease builder concerns.”

    Regionally, the Builder sentiment in Midwest registered a slight, one-point gain to 43 and the Northeast followed with a one point increase to 42. The South reported no change at 35, while the West dipped one point to 28.

    “Recent increases for long-term interest rates will continue to hold back home buyer demand,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “Although some regional markets, including parts of the Midwest, are showing relative strength, the housing market continues to face significant affordability challenges.”

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  • Q1 2026 Homebuilding Permit Overview

    Q1 2026 Homebuilding Permit Overview

    Over the first three months of 2026, there were 214,655 permits issued nationwide to construct new single-family homes. This was down 7.6% from the first quarter of 2025. However, multifamily permits grew 7.1% to 121,404 total units over the first quarter of the year.

    At a state level, 12 states recorded year-over-year increases in single-family permits in March, with gains ranging from 18.6% in Alabama to 0.2% in Minnesota. Ten states issued the highest number of single-family permits, which accounted for 63.7% of all single-family permits issued nationwide. Texas led the country with 35,231 single-family home permits issued at the end of Q1 2026.

    Elevated financing costs, ongoing affordability challenges and softer builder sentiment continued to weigh on single-family construction activity, while multifamily permitting remained supported by demand for rental housing.

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  • Incentives are driving potential buyers

    Incentives are driving potential buyers

    Two of the country’s largest homebuilders, D.R. Horton and PulteGroup are investing in incentives for buyers. Mortgage rate buydowns, covering closing costs and overall price cuts can help close the sale for potential buyers. Both builders saw a jump in orders in Q1 of 2026, 11% for D.R. Horton and 3% for PulteGroup.

    However getting these buyers to the door are costing the builders in earnings results. Net income attributable to D.R. Horton for its second fiscal quarter decreased 20%. While PulteGroup reported its home sale gross margin was 24.4%, compared with prior year gross margin of 27.5%. However, neither are planning on cutting these incentives soon.

    “New-home demand remains impacted by affordability constraints and cautious consumer sentiment, said D.R. Horton CEO Paul Romanowski. “Our sales incentives increased during the second quarter, and we expect incentives to remain elevated for the rest of the year, with the level dependent on demand, mortgage interest rates, and other market conditions.”

    “Our ability to offer low fixed-rate mortgages and other incentives is certainly helping solve the affordability riddle for some,” said PulteGroup CEO Ryan Marshall. “But this comes at a price, as incentives in the quarter reached 10.9% of gross sales price.”

    The use of these incentives may draw some short term headwinds, but they keep builder momentum in the market.

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  • More interest in construction trades among young adults

    More interest in construction trades among young adults

    A new survey from the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) reported a positive attitude amongst young adults, ages 18 to 25, towards the construction trades. In a positive development for the home building industry, the share interested in a career in the construction trades doubled from 3% in 2016 to 6% in 2026.

    Closing the housing deficit will necessarily entail recruiting younger workers willing to start a career in the construction trades. While most young adults know the field in which they want, or currently have, a career, certainty about career choice is waning. In 2016, 74% knew the field they wanted to work in. In 2026, that share is down to 65%. The drop is likely associated with broader economic uncertainty and changing labor market dynamics. However, NAHB’s survey revealed an improved interest in careers in residential construction.

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  • Housing Affordability Reaches Best Level Since January 2022
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    Housing Affordability Reaches Best Level Since January 2022

    Housing affordability began the year on its strongest footing since August 2022. In January 2026, the First American Data & Analytics Real House Price Index (RHPI) showed housing affordability improved nearly 11% compared with 2025. The improvement in affordability reflects a favorable combination of factors: Mortgage rates were 0.9 percentage points lower than a year ago, nominal house price growth nationally slowed to 0.6% and household income increased by 3.1%.

    While affordability remains more than 60& below its pre-pandemic five-year average, the recent progress offers a meaningful reprieve for prospective homebuyers. However, the strength of affordability gains varies across markets. For example, Cape Coral, Fla., stands out as the most improved among the top 100 markets, with affordability up more than 17% year-over-year.

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  • An Overview of the Homeowner Market
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    An Overview of the Homeowner Market

    A Redfin analysis of U.S. Census data from 2024, the most recent year for which data is available, broke down the share of three-bedroom-plus homes owned and occupied by each generation, by household type and size. According to the analysis, baby boomers living in one- to two-adult households own 28% of large homes in the U.S. By comparison, millennials with children living at home own 16% of those houses, barely more than half as much. Generation Z parents own less than 1% of the nation’s large homes.

    Millennials are the largest generation of parents in the U.S., and are also the largest generation in the nation, yet they own a relatively small share of family-sized housing. This dynamic can limit mobility for younger families, many of whom face both inventory and affordability challenges when trying to upgrade to bigger homes.

    “Younger buyers are looking to move into single-family homes in specific neighborhoods, those with a family-friendly vibe and highly rated schools,” said Brenda Beiser, a Redfin Premier agent in Philadelphia. “The problem is, younger families have a hard time finding those homes because the older people living in them can’t find anywhere they want to move to.”

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  • Single Women Outnumber Single Men in Homeownership

    Single Women Outnumber Single Men in Homeownership

    According to new research from the National Association of Realtors, over 20 million single women own homes, significantly outnumbering the roughly 14 million single men who do. Representing 21% of all buyers, women are becoming a driving force in the buyer’s market. Over the last 10 years, homeownership has grown among divorced, separated and never-married women.

    “Over the past two decades, homeownership among single men has been relatively flat, while single women have consistently maintained higher homeownership rates—and you see that showing up in today’s market,” said NAR senior economist Nadia Evangelou.

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  • Consumer Confidence Climbs in March

    Consumer Confidence Climbs in March

    Consumer confidence in March rose to a three-month high as consumers’ improved view of current business and labor market conditions outweighed weaker future expectations. Despite the increase, consumers remained concerned as inflation expectations surged to a seven-month high due to the Iran war and job worries from economic uncertainty.

    The Consumer Confidence Index, reported by the Conference Board, is a survey measuring how optimistic or pessimistic consumers feel about their financial situation. This index rose from 91.0 to 91.8 in March, the highest level this year.

    The Conference Board also reported the share of respondents planning to buy a home within six months. The share of respondents planning to buy a home fell slightly to 5.7% in March. Of those, the shares planning to buy a newly constructed home and an existing home were unchanged at 0.7% and 2.6%, respectively. The remaining 2.4% were planning to buy a home but were undecided between new or existing homes.

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  • Builders respond to market with innovative design

    Builders respond to market with innovative design

    According to the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Association of Realtors’ data, newly built homes are typically priced at or below existing homes, offering buyers more options in today’s challenging housing market. The homebuilding industry is responding to market conditions by constructing homes that balance price and meet modern homebuyer needs.

    Builders are increasingly expanding usable living space with patios, front porches and decks, complemented by exterior lighting and landscaping. Builders are also adapting to buyers’ preferences for flexible interiors and modern features, such as adding drop zones, adding a charging station for EVs and including multipurpose rooms in homes.

    “Homeownership remains a cherished ideal for families across the country, and builders are stepping up to make homes attainable,” said NAHB Chairman Bill Owens, a home builder and remodeler from Worthington, Ohio. “We will continue working with policymakers at every level of government to address supply-side challenges and seek regulatory relief that affects housing affordability.”

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